5 Must-Know Facts About Cannabidiol (CBD)

CBD, or cannabidiol, is quickly changing the debate surrounding the use of marijuana as a medicine.

Most people have heard of a chemical called THC, which is the ingredient in marijuana that gets users high. But recently, attention has shifted to another compound in marijuana called CBD — and for good reason.

Because while doctors can’t seem to look past certain side effects of THC, CBD doesn’t seem to present that problem. On the other hand, evidence of CBD’s medical benefits continues to grow.

Here are five facts that you should know about this unique compound:

1. CBD is a key ingredient in cannabis

CBD is one of over 60 compounds found in cannabis that belong to a class of molecules called cannabinoids. Of these compounds, CBD and THC are usually present in the highest concentrations, and are therefore the most recognized and studied.

CBD and THC levels tend to vary among different plants. Marijuana grown for recreational purposes often contains more THC than CBD.

However, by using selective breeding techniques, cannabis breeders have managed to create varieties with high levels of CBD and next to zero levels of THC. These strains are rare but have become more popular in recent years.

2. CBD is non-psychoactive

Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a high. While this makes CBD a poor choice for recreational users, it gives the chemical a significant advantage as a medicine, since health professionals prefer treatments with minimal side effects.

CBD is non-psychoactive because it does not act on the same pathways as THC. These pathways, called CB1 receptors, are highly concentrated in the brain and are responsible for the mind-altering effects of THC.

A 2011 review published in Current Drug Safety concludes that CBD “does not interfere with several psychomotor and psychological functions.” The authors add that several studies suggest that CBD is “well tolerated and safe” even at high doses.

3. CBD has a wide range of medical benefits

Although CBD and THC act on different pathways of the body, they seem to have many of the same medical benefits. According to a 2013 review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, studies have found CBD to possess the following medical properties:

Medical Properties of CBD

Effects

Antiemetic

Reduces nausea and vomiting

Anticonvulsant

Suppresses seizure activity

Antipsychotic

Combats psychosis disorders

Anti-inflammatory

Combats inflammatory disorders

Anti-oxidant

Combats neurodegenerative disorders

Anti-tumoral/Anti-cancer

Combats tumor and cancer cells

Anxiolytic/Anti-depressant

Combats anxiety and depression disorders

Unfortunately, most of this evidence comes from animals, since very few studies on CBD have been carried out in human patients.

But a pharmaceutical version of CBD was recently developed by a drug company based in the UK. The company, GW Pharmaceuticals, is now funding clinical trials on CBD as a treatment for schizophrenia and certain types of epilepsy.

Likewise, a team of researchers at the California Pacific Medical Center, led by Dr. Sean McAllister, has stated that they hope to begin trials on CBD as a breast cancer therapy.

4. CBD reduces the negative effects of THC

CBD seems to offer natural protection against the marijuana high. Numerous studies suggest that CBD acts to reduce the intoxicating effects of THC, such as memory impairment and paranoia.

CBD also appears to counteract the sleep-inducing effects of THC, which may explain why some strains of cannabis are known to increase alertness.

Both CBD and THC have been found to present no risk of lethal overdose. However, to reduce potential side effects, medical users may be better off using cannabis with higher levels of CBD.

5. CBD is still illegal

Even though CBD shows much promise as a medicine, it remains illegal in many parts of the world. CBD is classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States and a Schedule II drug in Canada.

On the other hand, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a request to trial a pharmaceutical version of CBD in children with rare forms of epilepsy. The drug is made by GW Pharmaceuticals and is called Epidiolex.

According to the company, the drug consists of “more than 98 percent CBD, trace quantities of some other cannabinoids, and zero THC.” GW Pharmaceuticals makes another cannabis-based drug called Sativex, which has been approved in over 24 countries for treating multiple sclerosis.

A patent awarded to the U.S. Health and Human Services in 2003 (US6630507) also covers the use of CBD as a treatment for various neurodegenerative and inflammatory disorders.

AFAIK there is a “spam” / MLM company operating under Kannaway and similar names, marketing CBD oil products made from industrial hemp, not cannabis.

Although industrial hemp does have cannabidiol, it’s not anywhere near the same potency as present in cannabis and strains like Charlotte’s Web for instance. IMO it is a shady practice – they are riding the coat tails and publicity of cannabis and misleading people into thinking that their HEMP-based CBD is anywhere near as effective or potent as cannabis-derived CBD. Shame shame!

First of all, it’s important to note that marijuana and hemp are both cannabis plants. So they contain the same cannabinoids, just at different ratios and quantities. So, actually, when extracted correctly, the CBD derived from hemp can be equally as potent as that from the “marijuana” cannabis plant. The only problem is, it requires a significantly higher quantity of the raw product (hemp cannabis plant) to extract the same quantities of CBD. This results in a much higher cost for processing and product which results in higher costs for the consumer. In terms of purity though, there are significantly LESS traces of THC in hemp-derived CBD oil, because the ratio of CBD to THC in hemp is weighted significantly more towards the CBD side. This actually makes for a more pure form of CBD oil, than what is currently on the market from the marijuana derived products.

If anyone here is actually looking to obtain high quality hemp-based CBD oil for medicinal use, there is only one company currently extracting at the potency levels required to treat more serious illnesses, Real Scientific Hemp Oil (RSHO). But, I can’t say there won’t be sticker shock when you see their prices.https://realscientifichempoil.com/

There are a few other labs working on more pure forms of CBD oil derived from hemp than even RSHO. Not only are they using Canadian and US hemp (not Chinese hemp), they are using a supercritical fluid extraction method, unlike the solvent-based methods traditionally used to process the oil. It will yield more pure, higher quality, cleaner and safer extracts.

Just because the feds haven’t cracked down on whatever you’re describing, doesn’t mean it’s legal. Biologically, CBD comes from cannabis (sativa and all it’s offshoots [this includes hemp]). Federally, cannabis is a schedule 1 narcotic making it illegal nationwide regardless of whether or not it’s legalized in any state, city, whatever. Legally, the feds (a-holes) can go anywhere in “the states” (Colorado, Washington, Oregon… [unless one of these states or cities has declared their sovereignty and broken off from the Union]) and shut down a company or person’s cultivation efforts since marijuana–a harmless, highly medicinal, highly effective plant–is illegal. So, technically, even though cannabis has been made legal in several states and whatnot–Washington D.C.!–it’s still illegal federally and federal agents can bust you for it. Obama said once he’d be lenient on the “marijuana issue” and he started to live up to his word. However, Obama’s a liar and, like usual, went back on his word “forcing” the feds to start cracking down again.

Not true. The issue when dealing with hemp (cannabis sativa) is whether you are getting CBD from the flower (still considered marijuana) or if you’re getting it from seed, stalk and stem of the plant. Companies like Endoca and Elixinol get their CBD from these sites which makes it the same as any other hemp food supplement.

Companies like http://www.biocbdplus.com/ are taking advantage to get water soluble CBD and turmeric in the hands of people who need them.

My mother has been suffering from thyroid cancer which was confirmed to be stage four, the doctor told us there was little she could do since she wasn’t responding to treatment but a friend of mine came to our rescue by ordering this cannabis oil from Phoenix Tears which he said he has been helping some patient fight against cancer of various types so we decided to give it a chance, so far my mother is improving perfectly very well and presently she can walk around the house all by herself. I felt its necessary i let others who are suffering from this acute disease that once you have a good cannabis oil it can really give one a sound second chance of living. if you happen to be in need of this cannabis oil you can contact the Phoenix Tears who supplied us with this email: phoenixtears44@gmail.com Amada Williams

Phoenix Tears…Yes! Ran by Rick Simpson. Have you seen the video, “Run From the Cure”? Just type it in your Google search bar. It’s fantastic. You are doing the “right thing” to help your Mother. God Bless you and your Mother. I think she will be fine if you found Phoenix Tears in time. Spread the word.

I know you all may have been wondering how to get a high grade hemp oil or cannabis oil that eradicate cancer and other chronic diseases easily, contact Rick Simpson organization now on any of the emails at: (ricksimpsoncannabisoil_phoenix@outlook.com)-(ricksimpsoncannabisoil_phoenixtears@outlook.com) or call +447031996738 for guide lines on how to make your own hemp oil that works speedily as Rick Simpson’s or place an order and have it delivered to your door step. Please stay as far away from streets oil for your own safety.

CBD oil extracted from the stalk of the hemp plant is in fact legal. There are over 30+ brands selling products in over 40 countries. This website is organizing all the hemp CBD alternatives, check out http://cbdoilreview.org.

Our company has solved the pricing dilemma of the oil. Also, the oil is now obsolete. We have a nanoparticle sized CBD that is water-soluble and combined with turmeric. This company isn’t run by a bunch of greedy jerks either – we’re actually all hippies!

Yes, things are changing. I used to design medical marijuana CBD products and can tell you there are some shady practices in growing marijuana in the “medical marijuana”. Not all dispensaries are shady..just a lot. Online the hemp derived CBD companies have had their fair share of shady products as well but it has improved greatly over the past 6 months to a year. Websites online like http://discovercbd.com are excellent resources for obtaining CBD oil, tinctures, etc, when you live in a state without medical marijuana. In fact I know people in Medical marijuana states that prefer Hemp derived CBD over medical marijuana CBD because it contains next to know THC or they just dont want to get a card.

The cost of CBD extraction due to fed guidelines is insane. Even a “generic” of RSHO is too dear for most people to use as a regular treatment; prices are so high it cannot even be considered for inclusion in a mildly sane Rx health coverage program. CBD extract does help, but a therapeutic dose should be taken on a daily basis, as there is a notable cumulative effect. A full-spectrum plant is less pricey–so I am told–& f-sp almost always=fuller benefits, even if it takes longer to see the effects than one might experience with an extract… If you can stomach black-market, that is, coz, pain REALLY s*cks, but wondering how many murders to an oz is still not my cuppa :[ .